MCC student wins billboard design contest with anti-smoking message

The winner of the McHenry County Department of Health's annual Billboard Design Contest is Andy Sciazko, a second-year student at McHenry County College, majoring in illustration. His entry was titled "You know what's cooler than smoking? Anything."

The contest sought to highlight local talent while educating the community of the health effects of smoking. Open to all McHenry County teens, designs were received under the following categories - tobacco prevention, secondhand smoke and quit smoking.

Entries were judged on originality, peer appeal and simple, colorful design. Making the final selection were teens from Reality Illinois Anti-Tobacco Advocacy groups, members of the McHenry County "Tobacco Free" Coalition and MCDH's Health Promotion staff.

Billboards depicting the winning entry are being displayed throughout McHenry County. Contest winners also received a $250 cash prize. Funding for this project was made possible through an Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

For information about MCDH's smoking cessation programs, call (815) 334-4510 or visit mcdh.info.